STORY
Domestic killers could face an additional 10 years in prison under changes announced by David Lammy. The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary said the Government intended to close a sentencing gap affecting murders committed by partners or former partners.
Under current rules, many domestic murders have a 15-year sentencing starting point because they take place in the home using a weapon already at the scene. Other murders where a weapon is taken to the scene with intent can have a 25-year starting point. Ministers said they wanted domestic murders to be treated with comparable severity.
The change is part of the Government’s wider pledge to halve violence against women and girls. The Ministry of Justice said safeguards would remain for cases where a victim of domestic abuse kills their abuser, and that the new starting point would apply only to future murders after implementation.